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How to Write a Resume
How to write a resume, one clear step at a time
A resume is really just seven parts, each with a job to do. This is the plain-English version — the advice we'd give a friend over coffee, minus the buzzwords and the contradictory rules.
You don't need a template of perfect phrases or a degree in personal branding. You need to get the right things in the right order, say what you actually did, and stop before it runs long. Start at the top and work down.
Why do so many capable people freeze at the blank page?
Because "write a resume" sounds like one huge task. It isn't. It's a handful of small, ordinary sections you already know the answers to. Take them one at a time and the page fills itself.
A resume in seven parts
Work through these top to bottom. Don't aim for perfect on the first pass — just get it down.
Professional summary
Two or three lines on who you are and what you do well. Write this part last.
Work experience
Lead each line with a verb and end with a result. Show impact, not a job description.
Skills
List the tools and abilities the posting asks for. Match its wording where it is honest.
Education
Degree, school, dates. Recent grads put it higher; everyone else keeps it short.
Proofread and tailor
Fix typos, cut the filler, and nudge the keywords for each role before you send it.
Guides for your role
Every field has its own habits and keywords. Pick your role for specific skills, ATS terms, and before-and-after bullet examples.
Software Engineer
Show scope and impact — what you shipped, what got faster, who used it.
Data Analyst
Name your tools, then show the business decision your analysis changed.
Product Manager
Lead with outcomes — activation, retention, revenue — not features shipped.
Registered Nurse
Put your license, certifications, and specialty where a recruiter sees them first.
Medical Assistant
Show clinical and administrative range, certification, and the EHR you used.
Teacher
Name your grade levels and subjects, then the results your students got.
Project Manager
Quantify delivery — budget, team size, timeline, and on-time / on-budget.
Human Resources
Pick a specialty, name your HRIS, and back it with people metrics.
Accountant
Put dollars and close times on the page, and name your software and GAAP.
Marketing Manager
Name the channels, then put ROAS, CAC, and growth numbers behind them.
Sales Representative
Sales is numbers — quota attainment, revenue, and ranking in nearly every line.
Customer Service Representative
Back "great service" with CSAT, ticket volume, resolution time, and tools.
Graphic Designer
Lead with a portfolio link, then tie your design work to business results.
Administrative Assistant
Show scope — who you supported and how much — plus tools and improvements.
Student & New Grad
Turn coursework, projects, and internships into experience that counts.
Career Changer
Map transferable skills to the new field and explain the pivot up front.
One good bullet, taken apart
Most weak resumes aren't missing experience — they just describe it flatly. Here's the same job, written two ways.
Before
"Responsible for managing the company's social media accounts and posting content."
After
"Grew Instagram from 4k to 22k followers in a year by shipping three posts a week and testing formats weekly."
Same role. The second one starts with a verb, names a real number, and says how you did it. That's the whole trick — do it once per line and your resume already reads better than most.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a resume be?
One page for most people, and up to two if you have more than about ten years of relevant experience. Keep only what earns its place for the job you want.
Should I use a summary or an objective?
Use a short professional summary that says what you offer. Objectives describe what you want and are largely outdated, so they mostly waste space near the top of the page.
How do I write good bullet points?
Start with an action verb, describe what you did, and end with a result or number. For example: cut page load time by 40% by rebuilding the checkout flow.
How do I tailor my resume to a job?
Read the posting, note the skills and keywords it repeats, and make sure the true ones show up naturally in your resume. Adjust your summary and skills for each role rather than sending one generic copy.
Related resources
Put it into practice
Write it while the advice is fresh
You don't have to memorize any of this. Open HubKit and it prompts you for each part in order, so your first draft comes together as you read.